From Kitten Cam to Granny Cam: The beauty of seniors

Foster Dad John has a new foster—meet Peaches Chutney. She is not a kitten but a beautiful elder calico. At thirteen she (along with four other older cats) was surrendered to a shelter. All five cats have hyperthyroidism, a common condition for older cats that requires treatment.

Lady Peaches Chutney (from The Critter Room)

Adopted by a community

Foster Dad John’s shelter, Purrfect Pals, rescued these five seniors from being euthanized as the other shelter could no longer keep them. Members of the Kitten Cam community raised over three thousand dollars in just a few days to secure medical treatment for these cats.

And now Peaches Chutney (aka “Granny”) has won the kitty jackpot being placed in the home of Foster Dad John. John has a special affection for seniors as several of his own cats fit into this category.

As you can see, cat and human have fallen in love:

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Do cats really sleep 16 hours per day?

It’s funny watching the chat that goes along with the live Granny cam: “O! She moved.” “Cute meow!” Obviously not a lot of action from a senior. Cats are reported to sleep some sixteen hours a day. We’re getting a first hand look with Lady Peaches.

Growing mellow with age

Peaches is a cat that I instantly want to scoop up into my arms. Senior cats can be so loving and affectionate. I remember my Noah, standoffish and grouchy most of his life until he hit fifteen; then he turned into a total love. Bacci was a senior I adopted from my late mother’s nursing home and I lost my heart to him the day he tapped me on the arm with his giant mitten paw.

Old is good.

Calling for John

And I love how Foster Dad John’s “Granny cam” brings that point home. This Granny cam is such a wonderful way to promote the idea of adopting senior pets. They have a lot of love to give and want all the love you can give in return.

Old is scary.

Old is good but old is also scary. You take risks getting attached to seniors. They have health problems. They suffer and sometimes they get crabby because they hurt. And they pass away and break the heart you gave so freely to them.

Taking a chance with the heart

Elderly cats. Elderly people. My best friend just turned eighty and I am fifty-nine. Jackie is deep, gentle, loving, funny and empathetic. I can’t imagine my life without her but I know that time will be coming sooner rather than later. I know it’s risky to give my heart away so totally to her but I can’t help it. It’s worth my heart being busted to pieces just so I can be a part of Jackie’s life, even for a short time.

Four years ago when we adopted our last cat (who was 3 then) I realized she likely would be our last cat as a couple. I’m 65 and it’s not fair for me to get a kitten ever again. However, I’ve been thinking that if something did happen to our girl and she died before I reached 80, I could adopt a senior cat. And if that senior cat was from Purrfect Pals, I would never have to worry about what happened should I die first. PP would take care of them. Great idea for seniors who live in the Seattle-Everett area to keep in mind.

You’re so lucky to have PP nearby. We have cat shelters in our area–I will have to research them and see if they are no-kill. Your idea of adopting an older cat at this stage of life is a wonderful idea, thank you for that! Mine are 10 and 5 so I doubt next time I could adopt a kitten (especially since I hope mine live to ripe old ages!).

Both my cats came to me as seniors. Gabriel aged 8 (he is now 17) and Ollie at 12 (he is now 13). Both developed Thyroid issues and we have to pill Ollie everyday (Gabriel had radioactive Thyroid treatment to cure him). But Its all worth it as I can’t imagine life without my handsome gents! They are both such love bugs and grateful for warm bed, cuddles and good food.